MEGAN HEYWOOd, chair
Megan is an experienced courtroom advocate who is equally as passionate about advocacy at the boardroom table as at the bar table. As an accomplished lawyer and graduate of the AICD, Megan has many years experience as a director of government and not-for-profit boards, with a particular interest in issues affecting women and children.
CLAIRE HARFORD, vice chair
Claire is a solicitor with experience acting for and advising corporations and individuals in relation to disputes, litigation and criminal liability. Before starting her in career in the law, she held a number of senior leadership roles in the non-profit space, with a particular focus on youth leadership and development.
Leigh brezler, treasurer
Leigh is an experienced business development professional, having worked for some of Australia’s finest arts, cultural and sporting institutions. Most recently, she served as CEO of a not-for-profit, and is committed to supporting the next generation of performing artists.
LISA GRIEVE, secretary
Lisa has 30 years of experience in senior marketing, strategy, project and stakeholder management roles, including event management, brand partnerships and consumer insights within popular music, working at major record labels, music media, experiential events companies, artist management and current holds a role at a First Nations led not-for-profit.
ALYSON STANDEN
Alyson has worked professionally as an actor, director, coach and voiceover artist in the film and television for the last twenty-five years. She has a Masters in Marketing and is a passionate advocate for female performers and stories.
Danielle o'keefe
Danielle O'Keefe is the CEO and AD of The House That Dan Built. She is an interdisciplinary contemporary artist whose site-responsive work with young female singers is being recognised internationally. With 18 years experience working in the Arts, Danielle created The House that Dan Built to create new pathways and platforms for the voices of cross-generation women around Australia.
Maria is a solicitor with experience assisting Queensland government departments and private entities on environment and planning projects. Prior to starting her career as a solicitor, Maria worked in various roles including as a Family Court Associate and as a disability support person. Maria has been involved in numerous community organisations, including as a volunteer for St Vinnies' soccer stars program and refugee tutoring program, and as a committee member for the Queensland Environmental Law Association and Queensland Young Lawyers.
Kirsten is passionate about making positive social change, and for the past twenty years has done so through communication and sustainability roles in the corporate world. Kirsten joins us from Westpac where she heads up corporate affairs, marketing and sustainability for the bank’s offshore operations in the Pacific as well as working in recent years on large divestment programs. Kirsten started her career in the arts and later moved into the private sector andinternational development. Kirsten is a 2023 Social Impact Fellow and is on the Development Committee for Word Travels, the company that delivers the Australian Poetry Slam.
Siobhan is Head of Marketing and Product Operations, Westpac Banking as a Service. With over 20 years’ experience in brand, marketing, product and operations across many industries, she has a proven track record of driving company growth through creative and innovative marketing strategies. She is also an Executive Committee member of the Women of Westpac (WoW) Employee Action Group, focussed on helping women thrive. Siobhan is a mother to two beautiful girls and is passionate about for supporting and advocating women.
Sewa is a Gunnedah based musician. Her experience working with young people in the regions began 5 years ago when she started working with Gunnedah Shire Council.
As an Artist and Arts Worker based in the New England North West, learning how an arts board functions has been invaluable for Sewa.
Marie is a lawyer with an interest in affordable housing and specialist disability accommodation and is currently an Associate in Minter Ellison’s property team with a daily focus on the retirement living sector. Beyond her role in private practice Marie is an enthusiastic supporter of music and the arts, as well an active participant in community groups. Having grown up in regional Queensland (on Iman country) Marie understands the important place that music has in connecting regional and remote communities. Marie strives to live, work and play in a way that fosters fairness, inclusion and respect.